Ojai Friends of Locally Owned Water (F.L.O.W.) is on the hook for some of Golden State Water Company’s (GSWC) attorney fees. Released Jan. 24, a final ruling by Ventura Superior Court Judge Vincent O'Neill found the grassroots organization liable for $23,209 in fees and costs payable to GSWC and its legal staff for services associated with the larger eminent domain suit brought against the private water provider by the Casitas Municipal Water District (CMWD).

Earlier in the day, O'Neill's courtroom heard arguments from F.L.O.W. attorneys contesting the GSWC motion for $50,000 in legal fees. These costs, according to GSWC's motion, were incurred last summer fighting F.L.O.W.'s own attempt to recover legal fees and damages within the larger spectrum of the eminent domain suit. In October, though, the court ruled F.L.O.W. to be without standing for the recovery of such damages. GSWC then responded with its own motion to recover $50,000.